Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Fall

It's just so beautiful in WI this time of year
colorful leaves
crunchy apples with sweet carmel
crisp air
cold wind nipping at our ears
warmth from our campfire on our driveway
hot apple cider
kids running around outside like maniacs
late into the evening hours
enjoying those last few nice days of fall!

Friday, October 21, 2011

the kids Elementary school has been talking a lot about heroes at school

Olivia picked Daddy as her hero and so did Odin

they had to share some things and pictures about them

so sweet to see what they love about him and

that they want to do things exactly like him

a godly man

a generous man

honorable

well respected

Jesus copied His Father,

we are to be like our Heavenly Father.

Do what he does.

Walk like he walks.

Say what he says.

Be what he is.

Only by close interaction and contact with the parent will a child pick up the same habits, tendencies and character of the parent.

And so it is with us.

To learn to be like God and His son,

we must be constantly in His presence, following Him around like a little shadow.

The Father desires His children to learn of Him,

to listen to Him,

to obey Him, and

just to be with Him.

This is true with all the other qualities of God.

I want to be like my heavenly Daddy.

In order to do that, I need to keep my eyes on Him, watching His every move.

Years ago, Amy Grant sang a song entitled “Her Father’s Eyes”. The last part of the song is a perfect prayer:

On that day when we will pay for all the deeds we’ve done
Good and bad they’ll all be had to see by everyone
And when you’re called to stand and tell just what you saw in me
More than anything I know, I want your words to be…

She had her father’s eyes, her father’s eyes
Eyes that found the good in things when good was not around
Eyes that found the source of help when help would not be found
Eyes full of compassion, seein’ every pain
Knowin’ what you’re goin’ through and feelin’ it the same.

Lord, may I have Your eyes to see the needs of others, their pain, unrest, and confusion. May I be Your hands of comfort and strength to life them up, Your lips to give Your words of encouragement, Your ears to listen to them, Your shoulder on which they may lean, Your feet to walk with them, and Your heart of compassion to offer what they need. Amen

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

Rummage/Matilda Jane trunk show

getting things done in my basement for the next rummage this springsimplifying and cleaning outchanging summer things over to winterand getting rid of things we do not needif you are interested in donating items from now until spring for our next rummagewe would be glad to take them off your handswe will take anything that is clean and in good shapeand worthy of selling

We will be having a Matilda Jane trunk show on October 27that 6:00 at our houseThey have wonderful women's, and girl's clothes.Even if you live far away you can still order through our show and the money will go towards our adoption.Go and check it out at www.matildajaneclothing.com

Friday, October 14, 2011

Auction was a success!
Thank you all so much for your support and for spreading the word.
we greatly appreciate it.
we made an extra $591 towards our adoption
We will be trying to sell the things we did not sell,
on Craigslist to raise some more funds.
We greatly appreciate your prayers and support.
We couldn't do it without you all.
You have all been so helpful and supportive
and it means so much to our family.
Thank you!

Monday, October 10, 2011

after school delight

my goal for this new school year was to try to have a
homemade snack for the littles after school each day
hang out and talk about our days
sometimes,
chocolate is just so much better than healthy snacks!

Friday, October 7, 2011

bothered
A couple of months ago we were in a restaurant
across from us was a family with 1 child and grandma
the whole time they sat there from start to finish
the boy watched a video with headphones on
it just broke my heart
the mama fed the little boy food off of her plate with her hands only
like he was a little baby bird
the little guy just sat there
wishing I could turn back time and invite him to sit with us.
feeling bad that he wasn't part of our joy, loudness and craziness
he just kept turning around and looking at us
I secretly think he wished he was sitting with all of our crazy family
feeling so thankful and blessed to have such a life.
God is good

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Papa Paul
Papa Paul just left
back to Oregon and then back home to Hawaii
we only get to see him once a year
we had a good visit and lots of fun
it's always great to see how much the kiddos love on him even though they only see him once a year.

he wanted to go to the zoo

and then

he took the kiddos out for ice cream

played lots of games

we also visited the little farmer.
it's nice that it's still free
so the kiddos can run around and play and feed the animals